Temporary Protected Status

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian designation made by the President of the United States for the benefit of people who could not safely return to their countries due to armed conflict, a natural disaster, an epidemic, or other extraordinary conditions.

Once a country has been designated for TPS, eligible nationals of that country have a limited time to apply for the status. The TPS designation allows beneficiaries to receive work authorization and have a Social security number, making them eligible for a driver’s license and other benefits. TPS designation can be valid for six, 12, or 18 months – depending on what the administration wishes to do in a particular case – and can be renewed an unlimited number of times. Every time a designation is renewed, those with TPS status must re-register and might also need to renew their work authorization.

Countries currently designated for Temporary Protected Status

Note: This table was last updated on Oct. 4, 2018, using information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Note that TPS for Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone ended in May 2017, and USCIS has indicated that TPS for Sudan, Nepal, Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti and El Salvador will terminate at the end of the terms shown below. Check the USCIS website for further updates. Click on the country link in the table to see detailed country information on the USCIS website.